The Empower Life Center, in Pineville, is offering a qigong life energy coaching certification, a 6-month course starting on January 8. The class will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 8:15 to 9:45 a.m.. This comprehensive class, led by Camilo Sanchez, L. Ac, MAOM, licensed acupuncturist with a master’s degree in Oriental medicine, includes understanding Chi, principles of Chinese energy healing, the energy structure of the human body, the five elements of Chinese medicine, the three harmonies of body, life energy and spirit, cultivating the three treasures of the body, how qigong improves health, teaching methodology of qigong, and learning its core practices for discovering, unblocking, feeling, harnessing, circulating, refining, upgrading and balancing Chi.

Qigong is increasingly gaining popularity as a natural, cost-effective and viable practice for mindful movement and self-care, being in the flow, mind-body integration and grounded meditation. Involving movements that are easier, simper and gentler than yoga and tai chi, it can be used for increasing vitality, gaining resilience, supporting self-healing, optimizing health and promoting mind-body wellness.  

Sanchez has 30 years of clinical and teaching experience in Chinese medicine, acupuncture and integrated health, is a published author and teacher of qigong, tai chi, integrated yoga and yoga therapy.